This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.
Surnames: COATS, WHITE, PLUNKETT
Classification: Obituary
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/4h.2ADE/139
Message Board Post:
17 December 1906
There was universal regret and sorrow Monday evening, when it was announced in this
city, that the spirit of Aunt Serena D. Coats, had taken its flight in the home beyond, at
6 o’clock that evening, and while she had lived a long and useful life, far beyond the
allotted three score and ten she had been in good health and spirits and was so beloved
that none could think that deaths shadows should ever cross her pathway. Only last week
she attended a birthday dinner given by her daughter-in-law Mrs. Elizabeth Coats, coming
from the old homestead, in a cab and there was none in the gathering as light hearted as
happy for age as vigorous as was she. On last Friday evening caused presumably by undue
excitement she suffered a stroke of paralysis and while a younger person it would not have
seemed alarming, there was grave fears with one of her age. She rallied some and then
began slowly sinking until death stilled the lips of the oldest and most beloved pioneer
mother!
of Western Indiana. Mrs. Coats was born July 13, 1809, in Anderson county Tenn., and was
ninety-seven years five months and four days old. She was the daughter of Capt. William
White, a pioneer settler of this county, who died at her home and in the same room, where
she died Mar. 23, 1873. He also lived to a great age being 96 years, 11 months and 25 days
old. She was married in 1829 to Judge Joseph Coats, who in pioneer days was one of the
most prominent citizens in this part of the state. Besides serving a Probate Judge of the
courts of this county for many years, he was state senator from 1844 to 1848, and in 1850
he was a delegate to the constitutional convention. His death occurred Nov. 9, 1877. To
this union was born one son, William B. Coats, whose history as one of VanBuren township’s
best citizens during his life is too well known for comment, and whose children and
grand-children are now honored respected and prosperous citizens of this county. It was
gran!
dma Coat’s good fortune to live to see the fruits of her early teachings in the noble life
of her son her grand and great-grand children. Truly but few are favored with such
blessings and none ever appreciated their pure characters more than she. Mrs. Coats came
to this county with her parents in 1822 and remained a citizen, in fact of this VanBuren
township the remainder of her life. Her father located on Coal creek at what is know as
VanDorns Mills, where he erected the first mill in the county. It was a long wide
structure and he dressed the stones that were used in grinding the corn. It was in that
day the most popular place in the county. The captain was a bright and entertaining man he
fought in several wars, was a great traveler, a man of great force and character, firm and
determined, generous and kind hearted, always ready to assist the needy, and anxious for
the welfare of his fellow beings, and no child ever inherited more of fathers traits, than
did Aunt !
Serena Coats, and her good husband was alike to her. He manifested a hearty interest in
behalf of intellectual culture, in fact was one of the best educated men of his
generation. The poor and unfortunate touched the sympathetic chords of his great heart. He
was broad and liberal, his religion was to do good, and with such characteristics in both
husband an wife their home was a blessed one, and their children can be thankful for the
good name and record that has been handed down to them.
There was no place in Fountain county, where true hospitality had better ring, than
at the home of Aunt Serena Coats. Welcome was over the threshold to all who tried to do
and live right. Her home was one of the finest specimens of architecture of the age that
is passing away. The building was constructed of brick and stone, stood back of the
roadway on a shaded incline of fir and pine trees. The road past it was part of the
original state highway which extends from Wheeling, W. Va., to Kansas City and was made in
the time of President VanBuren. It was in this home that many of the happy days of this
noble woman were spent and it was, as her desire in this home that she closed her eyes to
all that was worldly to awaken in a home eternal.
It would take pages to relate the noble deeds of Aunt Serena Coats’ life history, and
then we doubt if the half would be told, and we can only say in conclusion that there no
one in the community but what bowed their heads in sorrow when they realized that life’s
book, so pure, so sweet, so noble had been closed.
The funeral was held a 10 o’clock Wednesday morning from the home. Exercises were
held by Rev. Plunkett, after which the remains were taken to the Coats’ family section, in
Rockfield cemetery and laid to rest beside her loved ones, who had proceeded her.